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Anthropologie is one of my favorite places to shop for cute French-inspired home goods.

One of my favorite French coffee mugs came from there, and you know how I love my coffee cups! #toomany

I guess the point is this: if you haven’t been to an Anthropologie, maybe because there isn’t one where you live, or you have just never felt inclined to check it out (TBH – I hated it the first time I went in, but I love it now!) now you can…in Nordstrom, or on “Nordie’s” online.

Bonus: if you have a Nordstrom’s credit card now you can use it for Anthropologie, which is probably not very fiscally sound (You should be using cash. Or a really awesome airline miles card to get a free ticket to Paris!)

Latte Bowls

I checked out the Nordstrom’s site to see what goodies they have from Anthro that I just couldn’t live without. There are a few must-haves for us Francophiles…like these latte bowls:

So cute, right? I love slurping sipping my latte out of a bowl at home, I feel so Continental when I do!

To be fair, they work well as bowls for chocolat chaud as well. Or cereal. Or ice cream, I mean yogurt. Non-fat. Plain.

As I am totally into the whole white house (as in interior design, not 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue) thing right now I thought these measuring cups are super mignon and très functional!

Keeping with the white house theme I also like this bedding and pillow, because we have a lot of grey in notre maison.

And a few more fun things I found – parfait for the Francophile’s work area! 😉

Please Note:

Disclosure of Material Connection:Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials.”

Please Note:

Disclosure of Material Connection:Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials.”

And just so you know, I am technically an “affiliate” for Tommy, so if you use that link and then make a purchase I will get a commission. Which would really be helpful in keeping this blog going.

FULL DISCLOSURE: I’ve never actually gotten a commission off any link I’ve shared, but if you are the first I would love it! 🙂 If you do buy something send me a photo, I’d love to see it! (and I’ll send you a little something aussi!)

Bon Shopping!

Jusqu’à la prochaine fois :: until next time!

Jessica

Please Note:

Disclosure of Material Connection:Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials.”

I don’t know about you, but I feel pretty special when I get a knock on the door and am handed a garment bag or a “trunk” filled with gorgeous clothes just for me. For just a moment I can feel like I am a big deal and some designer has sent me some of their latest goodies to try on!

I’m a fan of Rent the Runway for just that reason! We have a ball we go to each year and the best part of it is dressing up! But I began to realize that the only time I would wear whatever gown I bought for the event was that one night, and then it just hung in my closet until maybe a friend could use it.

So I tried RTW and have been using it ever since!

How It Works

They deliver the dress in a garment bag right to your door – if you want to get two different sizes you can – for the same price! I also have ordered jewelry to go with the dress.

I love that you can see other people’s reviews of the garments and how it fit, exactly, on their body type. You can scroll through photos and I like to check to see how it looked on other women with similar curves.

Not the best photo but the dress was cute and fun!

This is the dress I rented in 2017:

And this is the dress (and earrings) I rented this year:

Clearly, my sweetie is stunned by my beauty!

After you have worn your outfit and been complimented on your stunning dress you simply hang it back in the garment bag, zip it up and lock it and drop it off at UPS or arrange a pick up at your house. That means no dry-cleaning and no hassle!

Easy Peasy!

More Than Gowns

Oui, c’est vrai! They rent more than gowns – they rent handbags, jewels, cocktail and work dresses as well. Plus, you can purchase designer goods from RTW as well.

If I can manage to post to all of them at once, it will be much easier for me to keep up with it all! #bonchance

The Art of the Flat Lay

The other thing I’ve been working on is learning how to do “flat lays.”

This is an example of a professional one:

Looks simple, right?!?

Here is my first attempt:

meh. it’s a start!

Here is the first try of my second flat lay:

I didn’t care for it much, so I tried again:

I went with the second one! I ended up practicing the art of linking to the products with an app called ShopStyleCollective which helps you create a “look” and connect readers to the actual products in your photos. Click here to see the one for this photo.

So, that’s what I have been working on most recently…I hope to post more often as I get my online shop stocked with all the goodies I have found on my treasure hunting trips.

Once I get it fully stocked I will post about it “officially” – in the meantime you can follow me on the above sites or subscribe to my Facebook Page to keep abreast of my latest developments as well as the French news I share there!

Every once in a while you come across a spot so special you just have to share it with the world. Wisteria is one of those spots for me, and I think you, my fellow francophiles, will love it too!

I’ve lived in Santa Cruz County for most of my life and it wasn’t until I was in my mid-twenties that I finally made it into the shop. It’s totally nondescript and the location is such that half the time you pass it going the opposite direction and there is no easy turn into the parking lot.

The paved path brings you into a courtyard with a small country house on the right. When you enter the house it is like stepping into a French country kitchen and I just love it!

Already there is so much to look at and explore. Over the years I have purchased some adorable red and white bowls and am always tempted by the bee glasses!

Every inch of space in the house is filled with tempting French knick knacks, linens, candles, artwork, furnishings, and books.

I would happily just move right in!

I mean, champagne in bed…who could resist?

Beyond the main house, there are two more buildings filled to the brim with larger pieces of furniture – armoires, settees, and the like. I love to take my time and thumb through every book, explore every nook, and daydream…

There is an aviary with doves and fountains, flowers, plants, shrubs, and bistro table sets to covet.

I often wish I could bring a picnic and sit outside for an afternoon, sketching or watercoloring. #notsuretheydletme

I highly recommend you stop by this delightful shop and oasis the next time you are in town – or passing through. It is worth the stop, for sure!

Wisteria Antiques is located at 5870 Soquel Drive in Soquel, California. It is easy to get to off of Highway 1. Call for hours and directions: 831.462.2900